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Blessed to be blue: Shemekia Copeland comes to Bull Run

By Bonnie J. Toomey, Correspondent

Updated:
07/31/2014 06:52:36 AM EDT

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SHIRLEY -- Two-time Grammy nominee Shemekiah Copeland, who opened for the Rolling Stones and shared the stage with Buddy Guy, B.B. King and Eric Clapton, will grace the Bull Run stage at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

"I'm doing a lot of gigs, having some fun," said Copeland, who appeared with Gary Clark Jr. in the 2012 PBS special "In Performance at The White House: Red, White, and Blues."

"I sing the blues, so fortune doesn't necessarily come, and fame is limited," she said from her home in Chicago. "I'm just grateful that I can make a living doing what I love. If you can pay your bills, I consider it a blessing. I also know it can come as fast as it goes. That's what keeps me going."

Her music comes from her soul and has its roots in the music from the streets of Harlem, where she grew up.

"I'm a spiritual person -- a religious person wouldn't consider me religious," she said chuckling. "I definitely have powers greater than myself that look out for me."

Copeland's father, the late Texas blues guitar legend Johnny Copeland, brought her on stage with him at Harlem's Cotton Club when she was 8.

"I was horrified because before that the only time I'd sing was behind a couch at home. But you can tell in that performance that I liked it," Copeland said. "There was a certain amount of comfort, you know. Daddy ain't gonna let you fail. What I hated about the business the most was being up in front of the crowd.

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Now it's my favorite part. It gets better the older you are."

At 19, Shemekia struck out on her own after the release of her 1998 debut recording, "Turn the Heat Up!" (Alligator). A year later, she appeared in the motion picture "Three To Tango," while her song "I Always Get My Man" was featured in the film "Broken Hearts Club."

She describes the band she's touring with now as one big happy family.

"First of all, I'm blessed. This cast of characters that I get to be with are truly amazing, and it's not just because of their talent. It's how we all work well together, and we genuinely care for one another," she said.

"Arthur Neilson is on guitar. He's been with me for 16 years. On bass, for nine years, is Kevin Jenkins. Then, on rhythm guitar for five years is Willie Scandlyn. He's also amazing. Our newbie who came right on in and become a rolling stone very quickly is Robin Gould, our drummer," she said.

She places importance on a healthy body along with healthy relationships.

"I don't abuse myself in any kind of way. I'm having my Greek yogurt smoothie with kale and spinach," said Copeland, who runs and weight-trains. "Trust me, I'm no fitness guru, I just try to stay active."

Copeland's 2012 release, "33 1/3," produced by Oliver Wood, is her latest project under the Telarc label, and she's passionate about the deeper and universal meaning in her latest work.

Audiences in Shirley can expect a mixture of things from Copeland's seven records. She hesitates to pick which she likes best.

"They're all my kids. I love them all. You can't have a favorite," she said.

"I've already been to the Middle East and, musically, I'd definitely like to work with musicians from different countries, go to Africa like my Daddy did. I love world music, and at some point I'd like to do a Brazilian samba," she said.

She says her prayers every night.

"Ask my husband. My head hits the pillow, I'm gone," she said.

Copeland and husband Orlando will be married five years in December, and they've been together for 12.

"I count every year," said Copeland, who says it's the music business that can be challenging.

"Especially when you're a female in a male-dominated business. But I don't complain. It is what it is. I'm just gonna keep on doing what I'm doing, 'cuz eventually things happen the way they're supposed to," she said.

Now she likes to find great songs, write and take time for everything.

"I used to pump records out too fast. What I put out into the universe is so important; women, and not just women, people in general, it's all about the message for me now," she said.

"All blues singers have their share of love songs," said Shemekia, "but I want to uplift and empower -- I feel so good about it."

"The haves and have-nots; people discriminated against because of gender, race, culture, religion and the discrimination against poor people! Oh my God, it's time to stand up and say you're not gonna take that crap anymore," said Copeland, who referenced "Ain't Gonna Be Your Tattoo," a song about domestic violence.

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